Hypertrichosis

Abstract

• Hypertrichosis is the growth of hair of an excessive amount and thickness on any part of the body. • The term is frequently confused with hirsutism, which should only be applied to women with an excessive development of hair with a male pattern distribution. • Hypertrichosis is classified in generalized, localized, or symptomatic. All types can also be classified according to the age of onset as congenital or acquired. • Generalized, symptomatic, and localized forms of congenital hypertrichosis are present in several genodermatoses. Localized forms may also appear in relation to underlying hamartomas. • Generalized acquired hypertrichosis may be a paraneoplastic syndrome, such as acquired hypertrichosis lanuginosa; it may be localized, the result of association with abnormalities of the fat, muscle, bone or of the underlying hemodynamic system; or it may be related to multiple direct cutaneous traumas. • The most frequent acquired symptomatic forms of hypertrichosis are iatrogenic. • Long-term removal of unwanted hair is the objective. © 2008 Springer-Verlag.